Red Oakleaf lettuce

Lactuca sativa 'Oak Leaf Red'

Lettuce (Eng.), Slaai (Afr.)

1/3

Oakleaf lettuce is cool weather loose-leaf crop, so make sure they are not exposed to too much sun or very hot weather. The flavour of freshly picked lettuce from the garden beats bought lettuces any day. Lettuce plants also serve as a wonderful ornamental in gardens and use the different textures and colors to make patterns in your vegetable patch!

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Summer

Fruiting time

Summer

Harvesting

Harvest as soon as the leaves are large enough to use. Don't wait too long, as the lettuce eventually develops a bitter flavor and woody texture. Harvest older leaves first, using clean kitchen shears to cut the individual leaves from the stem or whole plants to ground level. Harvest about 30 - 45 days after sowing. Any heat or dry stress will lead to bitterness!

Propagation

Special features

Rotate crop every two years. Alternative with cabbage family and root crops or legumes.

Pot plant

Can be planted in a container, provided it is large enough. Minimum of 30 cm wide will be sufficient.

Geography

Origin

France

Natural climate

Cool to temperate

Environment

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Loam

Soil PH preference

Neutral

Frost hardiness

Tender

Uses

Edible

This variety is commonly used in salads and sandwiches.

Medicinal

Rich in vitamins A, B and C, minerals like Magnesium and Potassium and almost as much Calcium as milk!

Personality

Family

Asteraceae

Flower colour

Yellow

Scent

None

Problems

Slugs and snails chew smooth-edged holes in outer leaves. Collect them with a gloved hand during drizzly weather, evenings or trap them in pit traps baited with beer. You also can spray cold coffee on slug-infested plants to stop feeding. Birds love the red varieties too. Remove leaves touching the soil to prevent rot spreading.